BOULDER — The precious possessions have been removed from the bubble wrap.
Andre Simmons’ hands will be available to Colorado quarterbacks this season, notably for, well, the precious possessions.
The 6-foot-3 wide receiver and junior college transfer has been cleared to enroll at CU and he could practice as soon as today, coach Dan Hawkins said after Tuesday’s practice.
“He’s got good mitts, he does,” Hawkins said. “He’s tall and fast and physical. And he can run with the ball after the catch. . . . He’s kind of got the whole package.”
The addition of Simmons is a boost for the Buffaloes’ receiving corps, which lost Josh Smith, who transferred to UCLA.
Simmons, ranked the No. 6 junior college receiver by , might not start in CU’s season opener Sept. 6 but should be able to make an impact, according to offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau.
“He’s been in all the meetings he’s allowed to go to and he’s been paying attention,” Kiesau said. “It depends on what he can pick up. If we get him out here, get him in shape and running around a little bit, we can give him a small package and put him in a situation where he doesn’t have to learn the whole game plan, but we can give him 15, 20 plays and see what happens.”
Simmons spent the past two seasons at Independence Community College in Kansas, where he became such a weapon that he was routinely double-teamed. Of course, junior college success doesn’t automatically translate to NCAA success, but CU is optimistic that a receiver with his credentials and his potential will make a splash in the Big 12.
“(On tape), he made a lot of one-handed catches,” junior quarterback Cody Hawkins said. “It will be great to incorporate him into the offense.”
Simmons, who wasn’t made available to the media Tuesday, attended the Buffaloes’ practice sporting his No. 1 jersey.
“He’s going to give us another downhill threat,” sophomore quarterback Tyler Hansen said. “Defenses are going to have to keep an eye on him.”
Receptive to returning.
Dan Hawkins said it’s possible that once Simmons begins practicing, he will also work on returning kickoffs and punts.
QB battle.
Hawkins said he will “probably” figure out who his starting quarterback is after watching the Buffs’ scrimmage Saturday. The coach’s son, Cody, has battled Hansen throughout August camp.
Mind games.
After taking Monday off because of the first day of classes, the Buffs returned to the field Tuesday afternoon. Hawkins said the players, understandably, have a lot on their minds right now. As for practice? “In general, it wasn’t bad,” the coach said.
Potent passing.
Kiesau was complimentary of the Buffs’ passing game. “We’re throwing the ball pretty well down the field in practice,” he said, adding that Simmons’ arrival will only help.
Benjamin Hochman and Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
